Kara Goucher before 2009 Boston Marathon

Not everyone can say they’re the second fastest woman in American history. The Northern native sprinkles her speech with a distinctly Midwestern accent when she speaks honestly and earnestly about her…
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Not everyone can say they’re the second fastest woman in American history. The Northern native sprinkles her speech with a distinctly Midwestern accent when she speaks honestly and earnestly about her…
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Not everyone can say they’re the second fastest woman in American history.
The Northern native sprinkles her speech with a distinctly Midwestern accent when she speaks honestly and earnestly about her collegiate struggles with eating problems. Upon sustaining multiple injuries and surmounting her eating problem, Goucher graduated from the University of Colorado in 2001, leaving a legacy of becoming the NCAA Outdoor Champion in the 3000m and 5000m, the NCAA Cross Country Champion and a 5000m Olympic Finalist, placing eighth.

Her mighty comeback continued as she finished second in the 5K at the USATF Outdoor Championships in 2006. She set personal records on the international level and ran the World “A” Standard in the 1500m, 5000m and 1000m. Her third place finish in the 3000m at the 2006 IAFF World Cup and her 10k time ranks her the second fastest American woman of all time.
Goucher continued setting records as she reigned over the Great North Run with a time of 1:06.57, a record that earned her the title of the fastest woman’s half-marathoner of the year and set a new American best time.
The record-setting, obstacle-dominating success story moved to Oregon with her husband – American runner Adam Goucher – and continues to be coached by Alberto Salazar.